TEXAS: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - The Texas Rangers are already hurting significantly even before the start of a new season.
In a span of three days the week before opening day, the Rangers scratched ace Yu Darvish from that scheduled start because of neck stiffness, and found out they would be without second baseman Jurickson Profar and catcher Geovany Soto for 10 to 12 weeks each because of injuries.
Sure, the Rangers know there are going to be injuries during the season.
''We just didn't expect it to be all at this point,'' general manager Jon Daniels said.
The Rangers, after missing the playoffs last year for the first time in four seasons, already knew they would be missing lefty starters Matt Harrison and Derek Holland to start the season.
At least Harrison, who had a mild setback early in camp after his back issues last season, should return within the first month. Holland could miss at least half the season because of left knee surgery after being tripped by his dog on stairs in his home in January.
The only three position players remaining from the Rangers' last World Series in 2011 also missed games this spring with lesser nagging issues. But shortstop Elvis Andrus, third baseman Adrian Beltre and designated hitter Mitch Moreland should all be in the lineup Monday against Philadelphia.
After missing the playoffs for the first time in four years and scoring their fewest runs (730) in a full season since 1992, the Rangers' two most significant offseason moves were to improve their offense.
They got durable slugger Prince Fielder from Detroit by trading Ian Kinsler, a move that cleared the way Profar to be an everyday player. Free agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was signed to a seven-year deal - the same time left on Fielder's contract - to take over the leadoff spot.
Only Mike Trout (564) and two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera (562) reached base more the past two season than Choo (556) and Fielder (542), who has the longest active streak in the majors playing in 505 consecutive regular-season games - and 809 of 810 the past five years.
''I just want Prince to be Prince,'' said manager Ron Washington, starting his eighth season in Texas. ''I just want him to do what he does, and let everyone else does what they do, and everything will work out.''

TAMPA BAY: ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Rays feel they have everything it takes to win the World Series and aren't afraid to say it.
The budget-minded franchise that's played into October four out of the past six seasons boosted payroll instead of cutting back this winter in hopes of making another strong run for the playoffs.
''The goal is to be the team that plays the last game of the year and win,'' third baseman Evan Longoria said.
''I felt like we were really close to breaking through last year,'' the three-time AL All-Star added. ''And with the team that we have this year, I'm really excited to go out and try to prove to ourselves that we are good enough to do that.''
The Rays won 92 games a year ago, including a Game 163 tie-breaker to claim a wild-card spot, and have compiled the second-best record in baseball over the past six seasons.
That's not enough for manager Joe Maddon and a hungry collection of players who reported to spring training feeling as if there's unfinished business to tend to after losing to eventual World Series champion Boston in the AL division round.
''I love that our guys feel and think that way. I think it's great,'' Maddon said.
''You'll hear that rhetoric in a lot of clubhouses, whether it's baseball, football or basketball, but you've got to back it up. You have to really believe it. Not just say it,'' he said. ''Some groups say it because they're supposed to say it. Some groups say it because they believe it. Our guys believe it.''
That confidence was bolstered by the Rays' ability to keep most of the key components from last year's roster together, including lefty David Price, who anchors one of baseball's deepest pitching rotations.
Price and just about everybody else expected the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner to be traded, however the Rays wound up giving him a $14 million one-year deal, in addition to re-signing first baseman James Loney and landing free agent closer Grant Balfour in moves that represent a big chunk of a club-record payroll of around $80 million.
Andrew Friedman, the team's vice president of baseball operations, also traded for catcher Ryan Hanigan and infielder Logan Forsythe to give Maddon additional flexibility filling out a batting order around Longoria and 2013 AL rookie of the year Wil Myers.
''Talent can't win every game for you, but it's a good start,'' said Loney, who signed a three-year, $21 million deal - largest since Tampa Bay has given to a free agent since Stuart Sternberg became principal owner.
''If we can stay healthy, if we can do the things we're capable of doing,'' second baseman Ben Zobrist add, ''we certainly have as good or better chance than any other team in the league to win it all.''

David Price's long-term future with the Tampa Bay Rays might be uncertain, but he's completely focused on helping the team succeed in the present.

The left-hander looks to build on a strong opening start while trying for his first home victory against the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.

A subject of offseason trade speculation, Price signed a $14 million, one-year contract with budget-minded Tampa Bay (3-2) in January and will be eligible for free agency after the 2015 season. He showed the form that earned him the 2012 Cy Young Award on Monday when he took a shutout into the eighth inning before he finished yielding a two-run homer and striking out six in 7 1-3 innings of a 9-2 win over Toronto.

"It feels good to go out and get the ball rolling in the right direction," Price said.

Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon couldn't have been happier for his ace.

"He's put so much into preparation for this season," Maddon said. "It's validation of what he's done to get ready."

Price, however, is 0-5 with a 3.88 ERA in seven regular-season and playoff home starts versus Texas (2-2).

"He is one of the best pitchers in the league, top three every year," Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre told MLB's official website. "He has been consistent every year. I don't have the answer as to why we're so good against him. All I know is we compete hard against any pitcher on the mound."

Price hasn't faced the Rangers at home since Game 3 of the 2011 AL Division Series, but has won two of his last three since then in Texas, including Sept. 30 when he went the distance in the Rays' 5-2 wild-card tiebreaker game victory.

"They've always got such an extremely tough team," Price said. "They've got a lineup one through nine that can absolutely do damage against you. With teams like that you know you have to come out and play well because you know they're going to be ready to play as well."

Jake Odorizzi held the Rangers to three hits over six scoreless innings for his first career win and Sean Rodriguez hit a three-run homer in Tampa Bay's 8-1 rout Friday.

Evan Longoria added two hits and is 8 for 18 this season. He's also 6 for 10 in his last three games against the Rangers.

After going 2 for 12 without an RBI in his first series with Texas, Prince Fielder had two hits and an RBI on Friday. He's 1 for 6 against Price.

South Florida native Nick Martinez takes the mound in his major league debut for the Rangers. An 18th round pick in 2011, the right-hander has never pitched above Double-A, but had a 1.23 ERA in three spring training appearances.

Martinez's time in the rotation could be brief with ace Yu Darvish expected to return from a stiff neck in time to start Sunday.

"Whatever happens, I'm taking it as a learning experience," Martinez told the Rangers' official website. "Enjoy the ride and learn as much as I can while I'm here."

Texas' Alex Rios is 6 for 15 through four games and batting .407 (11 for 27) with three doubles, two homers and a triple against Price.